Volume 1

AND BACK TO PARK RIVER POST. 155
not to stop at the Bois Perc6, so I made a short turn to avoid
the Indian camp there, and at four o'clock reached the fort,
to the great surprise of my people, who had supposed it
impossible to march in such weather. Nothing had happened
since my departure. There was a cow herd at hand,
but our hunters were killing plenty of red deer. They take
no more raccoons with traps. Those animals are lodged
in hollow trees, where they will remain, like bears, until
spring, without any subsistence.
The men take plenty of
foxes and wolves, a few fishers, and a chance marten ; the
latter are very scarce.
Nov. 22d. My chimney smoked intolerably ; therefore,
the weather being moderate, I had it torn down and built
anew. My men came in with a load of meat from the
hunter's tent. Bulls are numerous.' Ten Red Lake Indians
arrived from Riviere aux Voleurs ; amongst them
were those I had been in search of above. They brought a
tolerably good trade. I treated them well, and they made
great promises — probably more than they will perform.
Sunday, Nov. 23d. The Indians set off early on their
return, well pleased with their reception.
The mice destroy
everything ;
they eat my skins and peltries—indeed, anything
that is
not iron or steel goes down with them.
Nov. 2^th. My men making dog sleighs to haul meat
home. They have excellent oak for that purpose. Desmarais
making snowshoes. Bois inconnu is the best wood
we have, preferable to birch, or any other I know of. It is
light, and bends remarkably well. We find none of it N. of
this place, but the further S. we go the more plentiful it
Nov. 2StJL. I sent two men early, with letters to Portage
la Prairie, to inform our gentlemen to the N. of my transactions
in this quarter. They take one sleigh and two dogs,
to draw their provisions and blankets. I directed them to
proceed to Langlois, and thence to Hamel, at the Hair
hills, where I hoped they would get a guide to conduct
them to Portage la Prairie. Sent my people off for meat.
The weather having been mild for a few days, the snow is
is.